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RDN conducting industrial land study

The Regional District of Nanaimo wants to know how much industrial land is available and what’s needed for future development.

To help disocver the information, the district began an industrial land supply and demand study.

Paul Thompson, RDN manager of long range planning, said the survey, by consultants Urbanics Consultants Ltd. and HB Lanarc Golder, will help the RDN move toward its goal to enhance the region’s economic resiliency.

He said people contacted the RDN over the years with concerns about industrial land.

“There were some concerns that there might not be enough land or land in the right places or whether we have enough land to meet demand in the future,” said Thompson.

The survey is underway and the district hopes to have it completed by early next year. Its goals are to evaluate the demand for different types of industrial land both from a regional and local perspective, to create a more resilient region that is less reliant on fossil fuels to reduce pollution and to maximize efficiencies and minimize waste generated by industries.

Thompson said part of a sustainable economy is making it attractive for business to move here. Ensuring there is enough industrial land in the right places will make it more attractive for businesses to operate in the region.

A survey of industrially zoned land was completed for the RDN’s Regional Growth Strategy Review in October 2007. The majority of industrial land is in Nanaimo, representing 57.8 per cent of the RDN’s overall designated industrial land totalling 617.6 hectares.

Electoral area A (Cedar, Cassidy, Yellow Point and South Wellington) makes up 11.4 per cent, totalling 121.7 hectares. Nanoose has no designated industrial land.

Industry, businesses, government stakeholders and community members are invited to contact the regional district to provide input for the study.

Study results and periodic updates will be posted on the RDN’s website, www.rdn.bc.ca. More information on the Regional Growth Strategy is available at www.shapingourfuture.ca.

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